True Image trial version

I downloaded the trial version of True Image this morning after reading the recommendations on this board. It includes a registration screen that apparently does not work. I tried to send a message to their support team, but could not find a way to do that for a trial version-they required product ID, which I don't have. I'm considering purchasing the product, but I'm concerned that I will encounter the same problem. Has anyone else encountered this problem, or know whether or not it occurs if you purchase the product?

Re: True Image trial version

I'm sure it was the trial version. I did try to find out what to do about the problem on their forum, and it seems to be widespread. They had a thread running, but it was closed by the time I looked at it. I've never used True Image(or any other backup system) before, so I don't have a problem with previous versions. Until recently, I've been able to meet my needs by just backing up my data files. I'm getting ready to try to banish Norton from my system and having read about so many horror stories posted here by others, I felt it would be wise to start using a system that would cover the whole system. My biggest concern was that I would have difficulty using TI and would prefer to try it before buying it. If the full version doesn't have the registration problem, then perhaps that would be the best way to go.

Re: True Image trial version

Mary,
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I'm getting ready to try to banish Norton
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If you mean Norton GoBack, TI is MUCH more reliable than GB. If you do a search on True Image here in the Lounge, you will find a most satisfied cadre of TI users. Myself included.

However, send them an email at the link I provided above. Their support team is pretty good. <img src=/S/clapping.gif border=0 alt=clapping width=19 height=23>

Re: True Image trial version

No, sorry, I meant NIS2005. I've been running into problems after I run Live Update and the subscription is up for renewal, so I'm going to try some of the solutions I've seen posted in the Lounge.
I tried the email link, but the message came back as undeliverable. In desperation, I tried their website one more time and went through the live chat with the sales team. They VERY promptly sent me a link to a trial version that did not require registration, so I have now installed it and will begin trying it. I've been a "lurker" here for some time and have found answers to so many problems that I would truly like to thank everyone who contributes to the mental health of those of us struggling to compute safely.
Mary

Re: True Image trial version

I join Bob in heartily recommending TrueImage and I'm so glad you got through to their support folks. Like many other Loungers besides Bob and me, I think you'll be glad to buy the TI product. It's pretty fast, resonably easy and has saved me (and others) many hours of grief. Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress. We'll all bend over backward to help you along the way, former "lurker"! <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

Re: True Image trial version

Mary,
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I tried the email link, but the message came back as undeliverable
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Just a quick note. I tried the email link and it went through fine. Got an auto response message back that they received my message OK?
At any rate, Glad you were able to install TI OK.

Re: True Image trial version

Admittedly, it is has been a loooooooong time since I first tried the "Trial Version" of True Image; back in the version 6.0 days. But if I remember right, you cannot create an actual backup image which can be used to do a real-life restore if needed. Again, going from a faulty memory, what the Trial Version does is allow you to "go through the motions" of creating a backup image in order to check on such things as usability, features, compatibility with your particular system setup, etc.

And, I'm one of "those" many who laud True Image as THE premier full system backup program. I find it incredibly easy to use and extremely reliable. <IMG SRC=http://www.the-highway.com/Smileys/Score-101010.gif>

Re: True Image trial version

I'm afraid that I may have to put forward the heretical opinion that TrueImage is not infallible! See, for example, Mike Healan's experience.

Most people would accept that it is dangerous to rely utterly and completely on one single program or method for backup, whatever its supposed merits. "Strength in diversity", as the slogan could have it!

Re: True Image trial version

There's something about that war-story that nags at me, John. We all know that somewhere, sometime, there may be problem situations with most (all?) software/hardware combinations; we've even had one or more reported here in The Lounge with TI. And, I don't disagree with your "belt-and-suspenders" philosophy, but...

I think the gentleman is blaming TrueImage a bit unfairly in his story. First of all, he has what clearly is a bad drive and stubbornly tries to use TI to get the bad drive working again. Take your lumps, get the bad drive to <img src=/w3timages/censored.gif alt=censored border=0> out of the system and install a new one. Even when he finally puts in a new drive, he's trying to use TI to restore files from the bad drive. Maybe I'm reading the writing wrong, but something just doesn't sound kosher to me. To each his own.

Re: True Image trial version

Pilgrim, from what (I think) the screen said when I first opened the program, the trial version is the same as the fully paid version, except that it expires in 15 days. It looks like the program is just what I need, since I've had occasions when I have had to reload the system and mine is an OEM version of XP Home that came with SP1. My son's is the early version with no service pack. I really, really don't want to go through that again. I discovered, unfortunately, while testing TI that my CD burner is broken. I realize that I'm probably overly cautious, but I really want to be able to store the image somewhere other than on the same computer, so I either need to get an external drive or a new burner before I can utilize TI fully.

Re: True Image trial version

If I can make a comment Mary, I'd certainly opt for an external drive for your backups. They are not very expensive these days and they certainly are versatile and portable. I have several computers (all with TI installed) and I make regular backups for all of them using the external drive.

JohnA Child's Mind, Once Stretched by Imagination...Never Regains Its Original Dimensions

Re: True Image trial version

John,
I have to agree with Al on this. That guy hashad a "borked" HD with probably an Image of the bad drive in TI. Then tries to blame his incompetence on Acronis. Even Spinrite couldn't fix the drive and still he says it's the fault of True Image.

Re: True Image trial version

John,

I wouldn't say your comment(s) were "heretical", since I know of no one, at least personally, that has ever even hinted that True Image was "infallible"! However, there comes a time when one has to make a decision as to an application's reliability in relation to one's own system. I seriously doubt that you have duplicate but competing programs for every application you use, right? In fact, there are some very critically important applications, e.g., Antivirus, Firewall, etc., which cannot operate with a similar application installed. Of course, among other possible reasons for not have more than one application to do the same job, there is the caveat of $$$$. Some of us simply couldn't afford to purchase two different programs that do the same function, e.g., True Image and Norton Ghost.

Basically, this no doubt boils down to one's personal preference. For me, I am more than comfortable having True Image do my backups. It has never failed me . . . yet, either in creating backup images or in restoring them. So, although I certainly agree that there is no such thing as ANY program being 100% reliable, aka: "infallible", there are programs which do lend themselves as being 95%+ reliable. And in my experience, True Image rates a 99% reliability rating. <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>